The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-17

picture attentively for some minutes,
and then, turning to Michael Angelo,
he blandly offered him gI00 for 1t.
"Why, Eve had the offer of as good
as e325 for 1T already" exclaimed the
artist indignantly.
MI. Levi pricked up his ears.
"HuIloi somebody has got the start
of me-" he thought ruefully. "Who
the deuce car it be2"
"Well, 1 don't mind giving you el50
for it-and perhaps you've something
that it may suit me to buy" he said,
with a glance round the studio.
"What's this2" he added, going to a
large picture that was handsomely
framed, but turned with its face to the
wall.
GA picture / sent in to BuTling-
ton House last year, but it wasn't ac-
cepted, stammered Michael Angelo.
"Humphl / don't wonder. What's
the name of it2" went on the dealer,
reading the legend inscribed on the
frame, margaret Mending Her Stock
ings." "No, that won't suit me; it's
a big ugly thing, and ~shockingly raw.
You've done better work since"
"AI of which is sold" interrupted
Megilp, in a huffed tone, except this
little thing-'Sour Grapes"
But again the dealer shook his head,
and took his stand before the easel on
which stood "Chloe."
I'm give you e300 for it" he said at
last.
Michael Angelo hes!tated. He would
rather Levi had the picture than Zerub-
babel; but 1t seemed hard that he should
make no present profit out Of this-his
best work. Every penny of the $500
would be swallowed up in getting clear
of that unfortunate bill of salel
"Give me a week to think it over,'
he said at last, turning abruptly round
to the dealer.
In dong so he caught his foot In the
support Of the easel, and the picture
fell heavily to the ground.
"Good God, what have you donel"
cried MI. Levi. Poor Michael Angelo
was too frightened to speak. Together
they picked up the picture. Fortu-
nately the canvas was not damaged,
but a large corner of the frame was
Clipped off.
"That's O remedied,n said Mr..
Levi. "a new frame won't cost much.
But, Mr., Megilp, / hope you'll think
over my offer; it may lead to further
business, you KNOW" he added, ami.
ably. And he left the artist standing,
with rather a rueful air, before his
! cherished picture.
"What has happened, Angy? heard
| something fall. What has Mr.. Lew
offered you? Oil what a pityl-the
beautiful frame,n said Mrs. Megilp,
busting into the studio. But without
waiting for answers to her questions,
she went on: ''I've just had a letter
from your aunt Jane, and she wants us
to spend from Saturday to Monday
with her. Do let me accept, dear. 2osf
look quite pale from oyerwork, an9
k5o leng a sight of the country. Do
let's get away from these botherlng
moneg -lenders and people, and have a
holiday. I'm sure we both want it
slew has offered $500 for 'Chloe'"
began Megilp gravely.
"Why. that's worse than Mr.. Zerub-
babel-but about Aunt James invita-
ton, A.ngy. May | { cceptS"
Megilp never could refuse his wife
anything. She had evidently set her
heart upon the visit, 80, though he
did't like leaving town at such a criti-
cal moment, he let her have her own
way; and the note accepting Aunt
James invitation was written n
posted forthwith.
l,Iaving called at the picture trainers
ANIL ordered a new frame for "Chloe."
aied left the key Of the studio with
Mary Anne, the housemaid. with dlrec-
tSions to hand aver the picture to Mr..
9rmolu's representative, Megilp and
fhis wife left town the following after
noon and spent a delightfully."- q0iet
Sunday with Aunt Jane at her cottage
in Sussex.
Late on Monday evening the Megllps
returned home. Anyone called while
we were aWayp Amy letters Mary
AnneY' Mrs. Megilp asked as the neat
handmade met her at the door.
"Oh, yes, mum, if you please" re-
piled Mary Anne volubly. "On Satur-
day, soon after you and master left,
MI. 0rmold's young man came for the
picture-the pretty n with the chick
ems; and this morning came = dark
gentleman-a Jewish gentleman L
should say, mum-the same as called
the other evening when master was
out. And he asst me If he could see
masters pictures; and l said yes, l
thought he could, and L showed MIN
into the drawing room hope ! did
right, SIR" she said, turning to Me
gilp.
II asst him to wait a minute" re-
sumed the girl, soothing her apron
complacently, ''and / made the studio
look quite nice before ! showed him
in. / lifted the big picture-vthe one OF
the young lady with two long plaits OF
'air down her back"
Margaret Mending Her Stockings"
said Megilp, under his breath.
"Ard | put it IN the easel, and 1t
looked beautiful went On the maid
glibly. "The gentleman seemed very
much took with it, and then he looked
at the little picture-o
"Sour Grapes ~interpolated Michael
Angelo, smiling.
sand then he asst me for a pea and
ink, and then he sat down and wrote
you this letter, SIR" Here she pro-
duced from her pocket two letters.
''This other one came by post this
morning. she added, giving both to
him
I1tSbly btuuiuS thO pOob-AoeUOh a.
his pocket. Megilp tore open Mr.. Aerub-
bahel's communication. When he had
read it he burst INTO a hearty laugh,
drew his wife into the drawing room,
and shut the door on the astonished
Nary Anne.
sedgel Madgel it's the best joke
Ut raise that girls wages So a
pnR give her a gown or something.
iy word you must. Shes done
For sndid turn. Read thatl"
The landed the open letter to Mrs.
/, 1t ran as follows:
io'hs- SIR: l have seen your picture,
What wit MendIng Her Stockings"
n the 6n;spy fancy. I'll buy it of you
ring terms: I'll remit the
.an before that.'va you ESQ. If you
nest; carding and srfte ras ~ 5stSTn
he carefulest. EveryHBAREI.
aust be looked to to br tn the Do l,ss5s
he perfect. uniform NJ. z.
my let up would de a mistake.